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Voices of DAISY

We get so many beautiful emails and letter describing what The DAISY Award means to our Hospital Partners and DAISY Nurses. Here is a sampling of them:

I just want tot take a moment and say "WOW" to you! What a wonderful legacy to Patrick - his memory is alive and well and will remain so for years to come. Our nurses LOVE receiving this award - it represents the core of who they are and why they work in the profession of nursing. Here's to 2018 and all our DAISY recipient nurses at Genesis and all over the world!!

Jackie Anhalt, BS,RN,MS, MSN, NEA-BC

Chief Nurse Executive and Vice President of Patient Services

Genesis Healthcare System, Davenport, IA

In September I was nominated for a DAISY Award by a patient. It meant so much just being nominated and came at a time when I was under immense pressure due to staffing shortages. To say that this award re-affirmed my commitment to nursing is an understatement. That simple act of thanks meant so much to me. Thank you for creating and supporting this award system, I wish you every success and hope it becomes known worldwide.

Cherry Williams, RN

Staff Nurse

Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, UK

There is such powerful transformation that occurs for each nurse who learns that he/she was nominated and then even more so for the monthly recipient. The DAISY Award provides us with an opportunity to pause each month on a unit with the winner and peers and share how ‘simple’ nursing actions, caring, listening and acknowledging are so critical to our patients and families…and what can make the difference in feeling alone versus supported. Thank you for being the catalysts of the opportunities for these amazing transformative moments.

Katherine Pakieser-Reed, PhD, RN

Executive Director, Center for Nursing Professional Practice and Research

University of Chicago Medicine

The DAISY program is an important part of our culture and recognition of nurses in our organization. I am constantly in awe of the work that our nurses do and how they touch so many lives every day. The DAISY Award program has highlighted this work through the nomination process. So thank you for this constant ability to expose this work and recognize caring for patients and families.

Though I honestly don’t feel like what I did was extraordinary, receiving the award was probably the most touching acknowledgement I will ever receive as a nurse.

Rebecca Johnson, RN

Dignity Health

It's truly an honor to be a DAISY Award recipient especially so early in my career. There are many days we go home frustrated or upset rethinking our paths in life. However this award has solidified why I became and enjoy being a nurse. Having my coworkers, staff and families congratulate me and tell me I deserved the award brings tears to my eyes. Many of my patients do not know what impact they have on my life, and it's amazing to be acknowledged for the impact I have on theirs.

Janell Carraso, RN, BSN

St. Joseph Hospital, Paterson, NJ

As chair of the PNC Recognition/Communications Committee, I love seeing how excited our staff is about the DAISY program. We end every meeting with that month’s winner and it reminds us all on why we chose our profession. Even though it can be challenging to choose one nomination amongst hundreds, our committee LOVES reading every single nomination and is dedicated to recognizing our amazing staff.

Julia Dexter, RN, BSN

PNC DAISY Recognition/Communications Committee Chair

OSF Saint Francis Medical Center

I must say this DAISY Foundation is absolutely amazing, and I am beyond honored to be considered a part of it. Receiving this award was one of the most memorable experiences of my nursing career! My statue is on my fireplace every day, and I love wearing my pin.

Heather Bisca, RN

Staff Nurse

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

We are so excited to bring the DAISY Award to Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southeastern Regional Medical Center. The excitement that is swelling at the hospital is amazing. And it is NOT just nurses! Today, one of our Executive Assistants accepted a DAISY nomination and she rushed into our area to tell us, ”We have our first DAISY nomination!!” My EA is collecting the nominations, and she was glowing. Our PR team, hotel staff, and First Connections Team ... have been nothing short of amazing. I have never seen this much “all hospital” excitement.We had 10 nurses write personal statements on why they wanted to be part of the inaugural DAISY Committee. We were so touched by their compassion, well…we have a committee of 10!! I could not be more proud. We are thrilled to honor our nurses and the memory of Patrick.

I cannot tell you how incredibly special this DAISY Award has been to me. It may sound crazy, but having received this award has made me a better nurse. The sense of pride that I feel when people that I barely know come up to congratulate me and tell me that no one deserves it more, it brings tears to my eyes each time. I honestly love to come to work every day. I love what I do, and who I do it with. I take such pride in being a CHOA nurse.

Donna Young, RN

DAISY Honoree

Children's Healthcare of Atlanta

I want to thank you and your family for developing the DAISY Award. I was nominated by my co-workers and am a grateful recipient. This award came at a time when I have been struggling to keep my heart in my job, wondering if I should leave my job to do something that would be easier, less demanding of my time and energy. The death of a beloved co-worker from cancer a few months ago had added to my feeling that perhaps I should just move on rather than accept the challenge of training the new staff needed for our clinic. To have my co-worker honor me with this award was a complete surprise and a uplifting event for me. Please accept my thanks and admiration for your development of this positive program to honor nurses and encourage research that will help patients.

Rosemary Buchmeier, RN

Rehab Clinic Staff Nurse

Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA

As I presented the award and told Patrick’s story again today, I was filled with both peace and admiration at the great work your foundation has done to honor ... those caring for patients and families around the world. Keep up the good work- I am proud to continue to carry the message.

Kim Brown Sims RN, MBA, BSN

Chief Nursing Officer

Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, San Luis Obispo, CA

My name is Robert Iseman and I am a RN. I have been recently chosen for the DAISY Award for the month of Nov., nominated by a co-worker for care that I give my patients. I just wanted to let you know how honored and truly blessed I am to be chosen for this wonderful award. It really touched my heart to be recognized for a wonderful award. Getting this award is very humbling, and it makes you feel appreciated in a job where you are recognized for the care you give patients rather from a hospital stand point where you have to meet quotas and numbers. If it was not for our patients we would not be able to show that compassionate care we give from the heart. If you could please thank the Barnes family for making it possible to receive an award of this caliber.

Robert Iseman, RN

DAISY Honoree

Pardee Hospital, Hendersonville, NC

Thank you for your DAISY efforts. Being a part of this recognition for my peers has enriched my life immensely.

Sue Zwahlen

DAISY Co-chair

Doctors Medical Center, Modesto, CA

The DAISY Award emphasizes the professionalism of the Registered Nurse. It reinforces the autonomy of nursing practice and how powerful each nurse’s action is on people’s lives. It is a reminder to me of why I'm here. When I hear the nomination stories, it makes me so proud and really connects me back to the staff.

Our DAISY celebration surpassed all of my wishes... The staff stayed around and visited with one another for a long time. Their families were so proud of them. It was truly a beautiful event, and it is all because of the wonderful foundation that you have started. Thank you for allowing us to be part of this special journey!

Rose Brandau, RN, MSN, CNE

Vice President, Chief Nurse Executive

Carolinas Medical Center-University

I have to tell you how thrilled I am that we have been involved with the DAISY Award & Foundation. I have been so fortunate to attend most all of the presentations to the nurses who have received them. You put it so well, that they are often surprised that they are being acknowledged for what they see that they do every day. My staff nurses are my own every day heroes. The DAISY Award instills pride, improves morale and allows the important stories of nurses to be told. What you … have been able to accomplish is no less than phenomenal. I think you are Patrick's earth angels to carry a very important message and mission. I am so proud that we have been associated with the DAISY Foundation.... Forever, I am willing to continue to support this effort in any way. Thank you for being a part of our MCH life, and I wish you only so many more good things for the future.

Jackie Gonzales, ARNP, MSN, CNAA,BC, FAAN

Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer

Miami Children’s Hospital

The DAISY Award is a tremendous morale booster. To be rewarded for compassionate care, as opposed to being rewarded for a new degree or an academic achievement, is very special.

Nancy Pappas, RN

Awards and Recognition Coordinator

Morristown Memorial Hospital

There was so much positive feedback from our first ceremony that the momentum for nominees has continued. We had over 50 nominees for June…. We are so fortunate to have this program at ACH!

Christie Berner, RN, MSN, RETIRED

Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer

Arkansas Children’s Hospital

I wanted to express my sincere thanks for your support of Alameda County Medical Center today with the implementation of the DAISY Award. Today represented one of the most rewarding moments of my career as I observed the faces of our staff and the impact that this recognition initiative has on our nursing ranks. Many thanks and best wishes.

Wright Lassiter, Chief Executive Office

Alameda County Medical Center

I truly believe that this was the most powerful and meaningful recognition I have seen nurses receive in my 40 years in nursing.

Linda Leavell, RN, PhD

Director of Operations, National Patient Care Services

Kaiser Permanente

It has been a privilege and a pleasure to work with you and the phenomenal DAISY Foundation you represent. The DAISY Award has truly been a remarkable and very special nursing recognition that continues to draw out the best in terms of acknowledging the caring and compassion of our so very deserving “super-heroes”. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for imprinting this legacy on our organization.

Lynne Hedrick, RN, MS, CNAA

Outgoing Senior Vice President, Patient Care Services

The Children’s Hospital of Denver

At our hospital, there is already a strong caring base. We start every meeting with a story of caring. With the addition of The DAISY Award, we are never without a caring story. All the nominations come to me first before I send them to the Council that runs the program. I carry them around in a notebook so I always have a story. DAISY fits our philosophy and Jean Watson’s Caring Theory perfectly.

Jennifer Blank, RN

Assistant Vice President

Winter Haven Hospital

I just wanted to share with her how important the DAISY Award is.....what we get in nominations brings tears to the eyes of staff who help us review them. At the presentations, there isn't a dry eye in the room....yet nurses don't see what they do as "special". Consistently they say it's just what they do, not unusual. Your award lets them KNOW it is special. Thank you so much for creating the DAISY Award! Our staff are touched by it!